File:Myths and legends; the Celtic race (1910) (14803315653).jpg

Identifier: mythslegendscelt00roll (find matches)
Title: Myths and legends ; the Celtic race
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Rolleston, T. W. (Thomas William), 1857-1920
Subjects: Celts Celts Celtic literature Legends, Celtic
Publisher: Boston : Nickerson
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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strange debilityor helplessness that at critical moments sometimes fell,it was believed, upon the warriors of the province. The legend tells that a wealthy Ulster farmer namedCrundchu, son of Agnoman, dwelling in a solitary placeamong the hills, found one day in his dun a youngwoman of great beauty and in splendid array, whom hehad never seen before. Crundchu, we are told, was awidower, his wife having died after bearing him foursons. The strange woman, without a word, set herselfto do the houshold tasks, prepared dinner, milked thecow, and took on herself all the duties of the mistressof the household. At night she lay down at Crund-chu*s side, and thereafter dwelt with him as his wife;and they loved each other dearly. Her name wasMacha. One day Crundchu prepared himself to go to a greatfair or assembly of the Ultonians, where there wouldbe feasting and horse-racing, tournaments and music, andmerrymaking of all kinds. Macha begged her husband ^ Pronounced Koohoolin. * Seep. 150. 178
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The Curse of Macha 178 THE CURSE OF MACHA not to go. He persisted. Then, she said, at leastdo not speak of me in the assembly, for I may dwellwith you only so long as I am not spoken of.* It has been observed that we have here the earliestappearance in post-classical European literature of thewell-known motive of the fairy bride who can stay withher mortal lover only so long as certain conditions areobserved, such as that he shall not spy upon her, ill-treat her, or ask of her origin. Crundchu promised to obey the injunction, and wentto the festival. Here the two horses of the kingcarried off prize after prize in the racing, and the peoplecried : There is not in Ireland a swifter than theKings pair of horses. I have a wife at home, said Crundchu, in amoment of forgetfulness, who can run quicker thanthese horses. Seize that man, said the angry king, and holdhim till his wife be brought to the contest. So messengers went for Macha, and she was broughtbefore the assembly ; and she was wi

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